Experts with links to drugs industry 'hyped swine flu'

Conclusion This was a well-conducted study, albeit based on a small sample of articles. The finding that academics with ties to the drugs industry were more likely to make a higher assessment of risk from swine flu, and those promoting the use of antiviral drugs were more likely to have industry links, is worrying. The general issue of academics with undisclosed links to the pharmaceutical industry being interviewed by journalists is of concern. That said, the study does not prove that media coverage either fuelled public anxiety about swine flu or the policy decisions made about drug or vaccine funding. Similarly, there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by any of the academics identified in the study. However, the result does highlight the worrying trend that journalists take the claims made by experts at face value in a way that they might not with politicians, for example.   Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter.  Links To The Headlines Swine flu risk was inflated by experts with links to drugs industry. The Independent, November 12 2013 Links To Science Mandeville KL, O'Neill S, Brighouse A, et al. Academics and competing interests in H1N1 influenza media reporting. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Published online November 11 2013
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Medication Swine flu Source Type: news